Transparency mount

ABSTRACT

A VIEWING SHEET OR CARRIER FOR MOUNTING PHOTOGRAPHS, X-RAY FILMS AND SIMILAR MATTER WHICH COMPRISES AN ASSEMBLAGE OF A TOP AND BOTTOM SHEET, THE BOTTOM SHEET HAVING A LAYER OF PRESSURE-SENSITIVE ADHESIVE AND THE OTHER SHEET BEING CAPABLE OF BEING PEELED OFF OF THE ADHESIVE LAYER. EACH OF THE SHEETS HAVE CUTS OR PERFORATIONS FORMING REMOVABLE SEGMENTS, THE REMOVABLE SEGMENTS OF THE BOTTOM SHEET BEING SMALLER THAN THE CONGRUENTLYSHAPED SEGMENTS FORMED IN THE TOP SHEET SO THAT, UPON   THE PEELING OFF OR THE PUNCHING-OUT OF THE SEGMENTS, THERE IS PROVIDED AN ADHESIVE LINED OR FRAMED MOUNTING AREA FOR AFFIXING PHOTOGRAPHS, X-RAY FILMS AND THE LIKE. THERE IS ALSO DISCLOSED A METHOD OF MAKING SUCH A MOUNT WHEREIN, IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THE ADHESIVE-LINED OR BORDER-LIKE MOUNTING AREA, A SPECIFIC DIE-CUTTING PROCESS IS EMPLOYED.

Feb. 23, 1971 R. JCHNs'oN ETAL 3,564,745

TRANsPARENcY MOUNT Filed oct. 1. 1968 United States Patent Ofiice 3,564,745 Patented Feb. 23, 1971 3,564,745 TRANSPARENCY MOUNT Ralph L. Johnson, Wheaton, and Robert I. Henkel, Kenilworth, Ili., assignors to Johnson & Quin, Inc., a corporation of Illinois Filed Oct. 1, 1968, Ser. No. 764,112 Int. Cl. G09f 1/10 U.S. Cl. 40-158 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A viewing sheet or carrier for mounting photographs, X-ray films and similar matter which comprises an assemblage of a top and bottom sheet, the bottom sheet having a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive and the other sheet being capable of being peeled off of the adhesive layer. Each of the sheets have cuts or perforations forming removable segments, the removable segments of the bottom sheet being smaller than the congruentlyshaped segments formed in the top sheet so that, upon the peeling off or the punching-out of the segments, there is provided an adhesive lined or framed mounting area for aixing photographs, X-ray films and the like. There is also disclosed a method of making such a mount wherein, in order to achieve the adhesive-lined or border-like mounting area, a specific die-cutting process is employed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a novel mounting member and method of fabricating same for quickly and easily mounting pictures, X-ray films and the similar type of transparencies. When, for instance, a patient has his teeth X-rayed, the dentist is furnished with an array of small X-ray films, each of the films relating to a particular tooth or tooth area. For the most part, there is a considerable number of these transparencies or X-rays and it is desirable to keep them together for ease of handling and so as to complete a patients file. With the herein disclosed invention, a mounting sheet assemblage or chart is provided upon which patient indicia may be placed and having spaced mounting holes so that the chart may be placed on an X-ray viewing apparatus or the like. The mount employs spaced or continuous-type mounting areas for holding the X-ray films securely, but removably in place. The mounting areas are preferably formed by punching out or peeling off from the top sheet or top and bottom sheets of the assemblage, cut segments, the removal of which leaves a border-like mounting or receiving area having a pressure-sensitive adhesive coating by which the individuals X-rays are adhered or secured to the chart. Thus, a complete dental record of a patient may be quickly and economically fabricated.

The prior art has generallly resorted to complicated, time-consuming and expensive methods of making up similar types of charts referred to above. At the present time, there' are rather intricate celluoid, plastic or paper mounting member having cut-out slots, corners or similar retaining means into which individual X-ray films or transparencies may be placed, each of the slotted retaining areas designating a specific tooth or the like area. This type of mounting is undesirable in the respect that it is very time-consuming to slip each of the corners of the X-ray film into the appropriate receiving slot of the mount. Additionally, because this type of mount normally has a transparent, plastic backing member which, through age and usage, becomes scratched or disclosed, the amount of light transmission through this backing sheet diminishes drastically when the mounting member is placed on an X-ray viewing apparatus. The herein disclosed invention obviates this shortcoming.

Other prior art method using, for instance, a pressuresensitive adhesive, requires the use of mounting jigs for fabricating mounts or viewing charts. For instance, being specific to the application which has been discussed hereinbefore, a two-sheet member is available for mounting X-rays which requires the use of an assembly jig. The mounting in this instance comprises two layers of paper, cardboard, etc., one of which has a pressure-sensitive adhesive coating and both of which have identically sized openings or apertures for viewing the X-rays and aligned jig pin holes. In order to fabricated the X-ray chart, it is required to peel off the top sheet or layer to expose the pressure-sensitive layer. The sheet having the adhesive layer is then placed on a mounting jig having pins thereon. The apertures being smaller than the X-ray films or segments provide a border area for mounting the individual films on the adhesive. After mounting all of the individual films, the second sheet is properly aligned with the jig pins and placed ontop of the bottom sheet to which has been affixed the X-ray films. It is then necessary to apply pressure throughout the extent of the top surface of the second sheet so as to form the completed or fabricated chart. The chart, upon removal from the mounting jig, is then ready for use or placement in the patients file. It is apparent that the herein described invention overcomes the necessity of using other apparatuses for fabricating charts of this nature and provides a quick and economical method of making dental, medical and industrial X-ray charts and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, a viewing carrier for mounting photographs, X-ray films and the like is disclosed which carrier or mount comprises an assemblage of a first or top and a second or bottom sheet wherein the bottom sheet is coated with a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive. The top sheet preferably is of the type which is easily removed from the adhesive layer and each of the sheets of the assemblage, in the preferred form, have removable preforated or cut segments. The preforated or cut-out segments are congruently formed in each of the sheets with the exception that the segments of the bottom sheet are smaller so that when both of the congruently spaced segments, of the two sheets, are punched out or removed, there is provided a border-like area or framed mounting area of exposed adhesive for receiving the photographs, X-ray films or the like.

A method of fabricating the mounting member or viewing carrier is also disclosed which comprises a two step accurately controlled die-cutting process so as to obtain congruency of the segments and accuracy in the depth of cutting or perforation so as to be able to obtain the desired end result.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 depicts one of the embodiments of the invention as it specifically applies to dental charts and the like;

FIG. 2 depicts another embodiment of the invention as it might apply to an application for a photo album;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1 in greatly enlarged and exaggerated form.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged exaggerated cross-section of another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 illustrates one of the die-cutting operations used in manufacturing the invention depicted in FIG. l.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawing wherein like numerals of reference indicate like elements throughout and, specifically to FIGS. 1 and 3, there is illustrated a preferred form of the invention. In this form, the chart or carrier 2 comprises an assemblage of a rst sheet 4 and a second sheet 6, the sheet 4 being the uppermost one. Disposed between the sheets 4 and 6 is layer of adhesive 8 which may be any of the commercially available pressure-sensitive types. Generally, the type of pressure-sensitive adhesive contemplated may be the type to which paper in the treated or untreated form is easily removable therefrom without tearing or destroying the paper surface. The adhesive layer 8 is preferably applied to the surface of the sheet 6 as by way of coating and is commercially available in this form. While disclosed as being of paper, sheets 4 and 6 may be cardboard, plastic or the like and may be worked in accordance with the disclosed invention.

It will be noted that the upper sheet 4 has a series of spaced segments 9 formed as by cutting; the removal thereof providing slots or cut-out portions 10. Similarly, bottom sheet 6 has congruently spaced segments (not shown), the removal of which forms slotted portions 12 which may be similarly formed as by cutting or preforating. When the preforated or cut sections of the respective sheets 4 and 6 are either punched out or removed, there is formed a border or framing portion 14 formed by the exposed pressure-sensitive adhesive coated segment of the undersheet 6. This area may be of any desired size, generally 1/16 to 1A; inch being suicient to provide adequate adhesive area for the embodiments illustrated. It is this area 14 to which the individual X-ray lms may be secured. To mount the individual X-ray lms onto the viewing carrier, one merely removes the punch-out segments of sheets 4 and 6 and places the individual X-ray iilm in the appropriately designated mounted area and applies pressure to the perimeter of the iilm so that the adhesive layer is put in intimate contact with the film surface. This will cause an easily formed bond between the film and adhesive layer, which bond may be easily broken if required by simply inserting the nger or other object on the undersurface of mounting carrier and pushing the X-ray film away from the adhesive layer or border area 14. In other instances, an adhesive which will form a permanent set or bond within a short period of time after the X-ray or the like is mounted will be desired. In such instances, it is obvious that the mounted X-rays will not be easily removable and it is intended that they be retained permanently under such conditions.

The carrier 2, in this instance, is provided with patient indicia and each of the mounting areas has printed there below identifying indicia indicating where specific X-ray iilms are to be secured. The right-hand side of the carrier 2 illustrates the removable segments of the top sheet in place while the left-hand side illustrates these segments removed, as preparatory for mounting X-rays. If desired, carrier 2 is provided with spaced apertures or holes 16 so that the viewing carrier may be properly positioned on the receiving pins of an X-ray viewing apparatus or the like. As alluded to earlier, it is, of course, obvious that the sheets 4 and 6 need not be of a vegetable Ifiber nature and could be of a plastic or other synthetic material. Likewise, the weight or thickness of the individual sheets may be varied to suit and fulfill particular desires to meet specific applications. Generally, because of the economics involved, a stiff or heavier weight paper will suice, Additionally, the adhesive layer of the assemblage need not be continuous.

In FIG. 2, another embodiment of the invention, as it specifically applies to photo albums and the like, is illustrated. In this instance, the carrier or assemblage 22 comprises a top sheet 24 and a bottom sheet 26, the bottom sheet 26 having secured thereto or applied thereon a coating of pressure-sensitive adhesive 28. Assemblage 22 has spaced binder ring holes such as 30 for placement of the individual sheets into an album or the like. Instead of having a plurality of spaced removable segments in each of the sheets as illustrated in FIG. 1, a single elongated mounting area 32 is provided. In this instance, the cut-out or perforated removable portion or segment 32 is peeled from the undersheet 26 which has smaller cut-out portion 36 which is also-removed to provide an elongated mounting area formed by the exposed adhesive layer on the undersheet 26. The mounting area 32 thusly formed is ready to have secured thereon pictures such as 38 in row fashion.

Referring specically now to FIG. 4, another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in cross section and in greatly exaggerated from wherein the bottom sheet 40, to which has been applied the adhesive layer 42, does not employ or have cut segments. In this instance, the upper sheet 44 cut-Out segments 46 which, upon removal, exposes the adhesive layer 42 beneath the cut-out or punch-out segments 46. Obviously, this embodiment may apply to the dental-type chart illustrated in FIG. 1 or the photo album sheet depicted in FIG. '2. The advantage to be gained on the one hand may be oifset by the disadvantages on the other. Obviously, where the undersheet 40 is of opaque nature, this would cut down on the light transmission therethrough making it difficult to properly View the X-ray films of FIG. 1. The adhesive layer 42 may also interfere with light transmission. However, where light transmission is not necessary as for the mounting of specimens, etc. other than X-ray films, the embodiment of FIG. 4 would not be unattractive. Additionally, where the objects mounted are to be easily removable and their removability is occasioned quite frequently, the embodiment of FIG. 4 would not suffice because one could not insert ones finger, hand or other object at the under-surface in order to disengage the secured-to-object from the adhesive layer. On the other hand, the embodiment of FIG. 4 has as its attribute an increased exposed adhesive layer area which provides for greater contact between the article, photo, etc. to be secured to the carrier sheet or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 5, one of the methods of fabricating the herein disclosed invention is shown as being applied to the fabrication of a dental chart such as depicted in FIG. l. In this case, the assemblage or carrier sheet 52 has had the bottom sheet 54 already cut to precisely and accurately form removable segments 56, the cuts, of course, being appropriately spaced. The assemblage `52 is supported by a movable platen or the like 58 in proper alignment to receive movable cutting-die 60. Cutting die 60 has spaced knife edges 62 to cut into and form removable segments in the upper sheet 64 of assemblage or carrier 52. The spacing of the knife edges is such that congruently-shaped segments will be formed but which are of a larger size than those previously cut in the bottom sheet 54. This, then, will provide larger segments in the upper sheet 64 which, upon removal, provides or exposes a mounting area to -which X-ray lms and the like may be secured.

While many modiiications will at once be apparent to those skilled in the art, these will generally be within the category of common ordinary skill and will not detract from the spirit of the herein disclosed invention as defined by the appended claims.

It should be understood that while the description andv drawings have exemplified the invention as it specifically applies to dental charts and the like, the invention can be put into practice merely by |varying the size of the carrier, the size and shape of the various removable segments and by varying the size of the mounting area correspondingly for medical and industrial X-rays. Hence, various types of X-rays, pictures and even objects may be mounted in an easy economical manner.

The embodiments of this invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A viewing carrier for mounting photographs, X-ray 5 films and the like comprising an assemblage of superimposed first and second sheets, a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive between said sheets and extending coextensively with the areas of the oppositely facing surfaces of said sheets, said sheets having a plurality of aligned die cut areas therein, the aligned die cut areas in said sheets being of the same general configuration, the die cut area in one sheet being smaller than the die cut area in the other sheet, the larger die cut areas being held in the assemblage against the adhesive layer on portions of said sheet having said smaller die cut areas and surrounding said smaller die cut areas, whereby aligned die cut areas of said two sheets may be removed by removing the die cut areas from the sheet having the larger die cut areas to remove the smaller die cut areas therewith to thereby provide viewing apertures of areas and configurations corresponding to that of the smaller die cut areas and a framed pressure sensitive adhesive mounting area between the border of said smaller die cut areas and the border of the aligned larger die cut areas.

References Cited ROBERT W. MICHELL, Primary Examiner W. J. CONTRERAS, Assistant Examiner 

